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AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Tuesday concluded a two-day visit to Egypt, where he held talks with Egyptian leaders that focused on bilateral ties and latest regional developments.

Meanwhile, the meetings of the joint higher committee ended with signing agreements in several fields and announcements of mega-projects on the drawing board, including a railway project that connects the two countries and Gulf states.

During a meeting with interim President Adli Mansour, Ensour stressed the “deep-rooted” Jordanian-Egyptian relations in all fields, expressing keenness on enhancing them to serve the interests of the people of the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Conveying greetings of His Majesty King Abdullah to Mansour, Ensour also renewed Jordan’s support to Egypt during the “critical circumstances it is currently going through”.

For his part, Mansour voiced his country’s keenness on building solid partnership with the Kingdom in all fields.

In their discussions of the latest regional developments, especially the situation in Syria and the peace process, the two sides stressed the need for a political solution to the Syrian crisis and a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian question that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Higher Education Amin Mahmoud, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Hatem Halawani, Jordan’s Ambassador to Egypt Bisher Khasawneh in addition to Egypt’s interim Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi.

Also on Tuesday, Ensour held talks with Egypt’s military chief, first deputy premier and defence minister Field Marshal Abdel Fattah Al Sisi that also focused on bilateral ties and regional developments.

During the meeting, Ensour reiterated Jordan’s support for Egypt, expressing confidence in Egypt’s capability to overcome the current challenges and restore its leading role in the Arab world.

For his part, Sisi expressed gratitude for Jordan and His Majesty for supporting Egypt, underlying historic Jordanian-Egyptian relations.

Also on Tuesday, Ensour and Beblawi presided over the 24th session of the Joint Higher Jordanian-Egyptian Committee, stressing the need to increase the volume of joint investments and trade exchanges between the two countries that amounted to around $2 million.

Following the meeting, the two countries signed a number of memorandums of understanding and executive programmes in the fields of vocational training, water, social development, tourism and youth empowerment.

During a joint press conference following the meeting, Ensour pointed to the existing possibility to bolster the trade exchange between the two countries, citing the Kingdom’s geographical location as a link between Egypt and Asian Arab states, mainly Iraq and Syria.

Ensour also stressed the importance of a railway between Jordan, Egypt and Gulf states, again saying that Jordan can serve as Egypt’s gateway to Europe and oil-rich Arab countries.

Responding to a question about Egyptian gas, Ensour said: “We are aware of the situation in Egypt and they [Egyptians] are aware of our situation in Jordan… There could be further cooperation between Jordan and Egypt beyond the joint accords signed between the two countries. Egypt is to begin gas mega-projects and Jordan has already commenced implementing a natural gas terminal that is expected to be completed by the end of this year to import and store liquefied gas. Egypt then can export its surplus gas from Jordan.”

Ensour also said that there are 500,000 to 750,000 Egyptian guest workers in various sectors, adding that they are given special treatment in the Kingdom.

Beblawi commended Jordan’s treatment of Egyptian guest workers who enjoy all forms of insurance and protection.

On the gas issue, Beblawi said that Egypt faces difficulties in fuel and has suffered from imbalances in the energy sector, adding that the two countries are determined to boost joint cooperation in all fields.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and US Secretary of State John Kerry late on Monday reviewed progress of efforts to achieve peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis as well as developments pertaining to the crisis in Syria, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty has also met with House leaders and committee members over bilateral ties and US assistance to Jordan.

During the Washington meeting with Kerry, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the King asserted the Kingdom’s continued support for efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Kingdom will continue to support the peace negotiations, in pursuance of international resolutions, the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative, in coordination with all parties and in a manner that safeguards the Kingdom’s higher interests, especially those related to final status issues, the statement said.

Reviewing the latest developments pertaining to the crisis in Syria, King Abdullah reasserted Jordan’s position in support of a comprehensive political solution for the crisis. The King also emphasised the heavy burdens borne by Jordan due to hosting a large number of Syrian refugees.

At the meeting, Kerry briefed King Abdullah on the latest developments in the ongoing peace negotiations, expressing the US administration’s appreciation of the King’s efforts to achieve peace in the region and to boost security and stability.

The US official also briefed the King on the US’ perspective regarding the crisis in Syria and he commended Jordan’s efforts in mitigating the suffering of the Syrian people, noting that the US will continue to back the Kingdom’s relief efforts for Syrian refugees.

On Tuesday, King Abdullah began a series of meetings with leaders and members of the US Congress in Washington as part of his state visit to the United States.

Discussions during the meetings focused on the latest developments in the Middle East, the strategic ties between Jordan and the US and means to enhance them, especially through offering further support to the Kingdom in facing economic challenges, the Royal Court said.

The King on Tuesday met separately with US Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Texas), chairperson of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations, and the panel members; and with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and other Democratic party leaders in the US Congress.

During the two meetings, His Majesty stressed the key role the US House of Representatives can play in supporting Middle East peace efforts based on the two-state solution, which, he said, is the only means to achieve comprehensive peace, security and stability in the region.

He said the two-state solution should guarantee the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 line, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security with Israel.

Jordan’s higher interests, the King added, are the top priority when it comes to discussing final status issues in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Discussions also focused on the Syrian crisis and its impact on neighbouring countries, especially with the mass exodus of refugees, the majority of whom have fled to Jordan.

The King highlighted the repercussions of hosting such a large number of Syrian refugees in Jordan and the effect of the crisis on its limited national resources, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities to support the Kingdom in its humanitarian role.

The King also discussed with the US deputies ways of support the House and its representatives can provide Jordan to address its economic challenges, especially those related to energy, development, and the Syrian refugee crisis and its consequences on the Kingdom.

During the two meetings, the King also highlighted the progress achieved so far in Jordan’s reform endeavour, which has contributed immensely to enhancing democracy and public participation in the decision-making process.

The King also underlined Jordan’s determination to move ahead with the comprehensive reform process based on a gradual, steady and balanced approach that can realise Jordanians’ ambitions of a better future, according to the statement.

Jordanian-American relations and the role of the US House of Representatives in bolstering them were also discussed during the meeting, the statement said.

His Majesty thanked the US House of Representative’s leaders and committee members for backing the decision to raise the volume of assistance to Jordan and supporting pro-Jordan policies within decision-making circles in the US.

For their part, the House leaders and members the King met expressed their appreciation of Jordan’s essential role in supporting peace efforts in the Middle East and their keenness to help Jordan address its economic challenges, especially those imposed by the influx of Syrian refugees.

The lawmakers said they understand the economic woes facing Jordan, vowing to assist the Kingdom in overcoming these difficulties in cooperation with decision makers in the US and the world.

The House leaders also voiced appreciation of Jordan’s efforts to combat extremism, citing two major conferences Amman hosted recently to fight sectarian violence and enroot coexistence between followers of the different faiths.

They expressed their admiration at the vision of the King and his precise assessment for the situation in the Middle East, stressing their keenness to continue coordination with His Majesty and to listen to his opinions regarding regional development.

The two meetings were attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh, King’s Office Director Imad Fakhoury and Jordan’s Ambassador to the US Alia Bouran.

His Majesty will continue his meetings with the Congress committees on Wednesday to explain the Kingdom’s stance towards the current developments in the Middle East and the economic challenges facing Jordan.

The meetings also seek to place Jordan’s interests on top of the US’ decision makers scale of priorities.

“We discussed with His Majesty bilateral relations and challenges in the Middle East in addition to the burdens on Jordan for hosting Syrian refugees. We confirm here that the US will do what it can to offer help to Jordan in this regard,” Congressman Adam Schiff said in an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Schiff expressed appreciation for Jordan for hosting Syrians and providing for their basic needs.

“We thank the Jordanian people for hosting Syrians and we look forward to contribute in helping the Kingdom in this issue, particularly since Jordan is facing other challenges related to the economic condition,” he said.

The congressman indicated that the Congress understands the pressure caused by Syrians on the Kingdom’s economy, stressing the need to support Jordan to maintain its economic stability.

Schiff described Jordan as “an oasis of stability in a turbulent region”.